fabric

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noun fab·ric \ ˈfa-brik \

Definition of fabric

1 a :structure, building

b :underlying structure :framework

the fabric of society

2 :an act of constructing :erection; specifically :the construction and maintenance of a church building

3 a :structural plan or style of construction

b :texture, quality —used chiefly of textiles

c :the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other

4 a :cloth 1a

b :a material that resembles cloth

5 :the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

See fabric defined for English-language learners

See fabric defined for kids

Examples of fabric in a Sentence

The curtains are made of expensive fabric.
scarves made of woven fabrics
the fabric of the community

Recent Examples of fabric from the Web

Conservationists at the museum are preparing to study the fabric and are researching how best to preserve it.

— avantika chilkoti, New York Times, "On Cloth Scraps, Syrian Names Are Immortalized in Rust and Blood," 9 Aug. 2017
A library hosts hundreds of samples of fabrics, tiles and every design element in between.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati firm designing stores of the future," 9 Aug. 2017
Lucy peels back crusted fabric, holding her breath against the stench.

— Longreads, "And How Much of These Hills Is Gold," 3 Aug. 2017
Dyne’s sweet spot is producing functional tech clothing, aiming to find a balance between athleisure, fit, and luxurious fabrics.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "There Are More Black Designers in the CFDA Now Than Ever Before," 19 July 2017
Climb into a fabric hammock at Culver City’s Aerial Warehouse for a take on traditional yoga that is said to make inverted poses easier by counteracting gravity (and even temporarily easing back pain by lengthening the spine).

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
The fabric cutter and her husband have to borrow money to cover their daily expenses and those of their 10-year-old son, who lives 45 minutes away with his grandmother.

— drew harwell, Washington Post, "Ivanka Inc.," 14 July 2017
Founder Andrew Rosen built the brand on innovative fabrics and designs that could travel with you, whether throughout your day or around the world.

— jonathan evans, Esquire, "It's Time to Give Theory the Attention It Deserves," 13 July 2017
The strains this injustice places on the social fabric might well lead to woes more damaging than rising temperatures themselves.

— The Economist, "Free exchangeClimate change and inequality," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fabric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.